Wooden Toys Care & Maintenance

Wooden toys are more than just playthings; they’re timeless, durable, and can be passed down for generations (that’s what we are all about!). With the right care, your Make Me Iconic wooden toys will stay safe, beautiful, and ready for endless imaginative play. Here’s your quick guide on how to clean, store, and preserve them.

✅ Age Check

Always make sure wooden toys are suitable for your child’s age. While durable, some pieces may be small and require supervision for younger kids.

✅ Child Safe

Always inspect toys before play. Remove any broken parts and supervise little ones with smaller pieces to prevent choking hazards.

1. Everyday Cleaning & What to Clean Wooden Toys With

Wooden toys really don’t need any harsh chemicals or complicated cleaning routines. Trust us!!! A gentle wipe is usually enough to keep them fresh and safe for kids.

• Wipe wooden toys with a soft, damp cloth to remove any dust and dirt
• Use mild soap and warm water for stickier messes
• Dry immediately with a towel to avoid soaking

👉 Tip: Avoid submerging toys in water; wood can warp or crack! Yikes!

2. Do Wooden Toys Need to Be Sanitised? Natural Disinfecting

Since little hands (and mouths!) are always on toys, you can sanitise without using harsh chemicals. A natural solution works best for wooden surfaces.

1. Mix 1 part white vinegar to 10 parts water in a spray bottle
2. Lightly spray on the toy’s surface and wipe with a cloth
3. Let the wooden toys air dry completely before returning them to storage

You can use this method weekly or after illness for a safe and natural, non-toxic cleaning solution.

👉 FAQ

·         Do wooden toys hold any bacteria?

Not really, wood is naturally antimicrobial, but it’s still good practice to clean regularly

·         Can you put wooden toys in a sterilizer?

Nope. Heat and steam will damage them. Just stick with gentle wiping

DID YOU KNOW? WOOD IS NATURALLY ANTIMICROBIAL

Now that’s a big word, and here’s what it means. Wood is naturally self-cleaning. Its tiny pores and fibres make it hard for bacteria to survive, unlike plastic, where germs can hang out longer. So, while you’ll still want to wipe and freshen your toys, wood has a built-in “superpower”, it naturally resists nasties. Think of it as the toy’s way of giving your little one extra protection during play.

3. What to Seal Wooden Toys With - Deep Care & Maintenance

To keep your Make Me Iconic wooden toys looking their best, regular conditioning helps protect them against cracks and wear. It also enhances the natural beauty of the wood.

• Apply food-grade mineral oil, coconut oil, or beeswax polish once a year
• Rub in gently with a soft cloth and allow to absorb fully
• Store toys in a cool, dry place, away from heaters or direct sunlight
• Rotate toys often to prevent excess wear and keep play exciting

👉 FAQ:

• What’s the best oil to prevent wood from cracking? Beeswax + mineral oil is a classic combo.
• Is linseed oil good or safe for kids? Raw linseed oil can go rancid, and boiled versions often have additives, so we don’t recommend it for children’s toys. Stick with food-safe oils.
• What is a food-safe finish for wood? Beeswax, carnauba wax, and food-grade mineral oil are safe bets.

 4. Keep Wooden Toys Indoors

Wooden toys are designed for indoor play. Exposure to moisture, sand, or direct weather can damage the surface and shorten its life. Treat them as special indoor toys to ensure they last.

• ❌ Avoid leaving toys in sandpits, gardens, or damp outdoor areas
• ❌ Never leave wooden toys in the rain or direct sunlight
• ✅ Keep toys stored indoors in a dry, cool space when not in use
• ✅ If outdoor play is unavoidable, wipe toys down immediately and allow them to fully dry before storing

5. Don’t Add Water to Play

It’s tempting for kids to pour water into our wooden iconic tea set and create endless cups of pretend tea. But wooden toys are not sealed to be water-tight. Adding water can cause the wood to expand, bend out of shape, and damage the protective coating. For the best play experience, keep water-based games for plastic or metal toys and enjoy your wooden sets for dry imaginative play only.

6. How to Store your Wooden Toys Long Term

Do you want your Make Me Iconic toys to last years and still look gift-worthy??? Yes please!

• Store them in a cool, dry place, away from heaters or direct sun.
• Rotate your toys to reduce wear and keep play exciting.
• For long-term storage, keep them in breathable cotton bags or the cardboard boxes they came in and not plastic tubs (to avoid moisture build-up).

👉 FAQ:

• Are really old wooden toys safe? Yes, if in good condition. But check for any splinters, cracks, or peeling finishes if you ever pick one up from an Op Shop or have been given a hand-me-down.

6. What You Shouldn’t Do with Wooden Toys

Wooden toys are pretty strong, but they really don’t respond well to the same cleaning methods as plastic or other materials. Avoid these mistakes to make them last longer.

• ❌ Do not use dishwashers, bleach, or antibacterial sprays
• ❌ Avoid soaking or leaving toys in water
• ❌ Keep out of humid or damp areas to prevent swelling
• ❌ Try not to expose toys to direct sunlight or high heat

🔧 Spare Parts Available Online

Lost a part of your favourite Make Me Iconic wooden toy set? It can happen! Whether a tram person rolled under the couch or vanished during playtime, we’ve made it easy to replace missing parts from our iconic wooden toys. Browse our Spare Parts section online to complete your set and keep your play going strong. Thoughtfully crafted and perfectly matched, our spare pieces help you restore the fun without replacing the whole toy and totally extending the life of your collection for years to come.

👉 Shop Spare Parts at Make Me Iconic

✨ Final Tip: With gentle cleaning, occasional natural disinfecting & conditioning, and also proper indoor use, our wooden toys will stay safe, beautiful, and ready for endless play and worth the investment. With gentle cleaning, natural disinfecting, and proper storage, your Make Me Iconic wooden toys will last for years, becoming not just toys, but keepsakes.